Watch-key.



J. H. DUNAWAY. WATCH KEY. APPLICATION FILEDYNOV. 12, 1910.

1,004,755. Patented 0015.3,1911.

H (20-, WASHINGTON. D. C.

JOSEPH HOWARD DUNAWAY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

WATCH-'KEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

Application filed November 12, 1910. Serial No. 592,083.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HOWARD DUN- AwAY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful lVatch-Key, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a tool for the use of watch repairers to be used for winding the watch-works while they are separated from the case and the usual means for winding the said works which is attached to the case, is withdrawn. 1

For a clear and full comprehension of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an enlarged View of the watch key in elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the plunger depressed. Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view showing the application of my invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the frusto coni cal end provided with a spiral thread.

The numeral 1 is used to designate a hollow cylindrical barrel into which is fitted a stem or plunger 2 provided at its upper end with a loosely fitted revolving button 8. The lower end 4 of the plunger 2 is smaller in diameter than its upper portion so that it may receive a spring 5, said spring being secured between the shoulder 6 of the plunger 2 and the internal shoulder 7 at the bottom of the bore 8 within the barrel 1. A hollow sleeve 9, having a frusto-conical end 10 provided with a spiral thread is secured to the lower end of the barrel 1. A stem 11 of comparatively small diameter is secured to the lower end 4 of the plunger 2 and normally the lower end of the stem 11 and the end of the hollow sleeve 9 coincide.

hen the works of the watch have been removed from the case for the purpose of repairing them, the stem of the watch, which is secured to the case, is withdrawn with the said case and consequently the main-spring cannot be .wound unless some tool is used that has the same features and performs the same functions as the stem of the watch, which not only winds the main spring but sets the hands of the watch also. The mechanical construction of some watches is different from others for performing these functions but the main operation is practically the same, via, when the stem is in it is in connection with mechanism that will wind up the main spring if the stem is turned. By pulling the stem out, it is disconnected from the spring-winding mechanism and connected to the hand-setting mechanism. I have illustrated these functions in a general way in Fig. 3 in which a square stem 12 fits slidably within the square hollow sleeve 14 which is pivotally secured to the works of the watch. A pinion 15 is rigidly secured to the lower end of the square stem 12 and is adapted to mesh with the gears 16 and 17 which are concentric and centered at 20. A hearing 18 is provided for the stem 12 and a. spring 19 interposed between the pinion 15 and the bearing 18 serves to keep the pinion 15 in mesh with the gear 16, which is the gear for setting the hands and is operated when the stem of the Watch-case is pulled outward. Therefore, when the works are separated from the case and it is desired to wind the main spring, the stem of the watch having been withdrawn and the spring 19 having moved the pinion 15 into mesh with the gear 16 which is the gear for setting the hands, it is first necessary to move the pinion 15 back into mesh with the gear 17 and against the tension of the spring 19. This is accomplished by inserting the frusto-conical end 10 of the hollow sleeve 9 into the square opening in the pivotal sleeve 14 secured to the works. By reason of the spiral thread on the frusto conical end 10 the said sleeve 9 will readily fit any square opening within its range, while the function of the spiral portion thereof is to present a more abrupt edge to the shoulder of the square opening. For instance, if the hollow sleeve 9 were to be turned in the direction of its spiral, the said spiral would cause it to be turned out of the square hole in the same manner that a screw .thread operates, while turning it, as in this case, in the opposite direction will tend to seat it more firmly in the hole and against the shoulders thereof. The end 10 of the sleeve 9 now having been inserted into the square opening of the sleeve 14, a pressure on the pivoted button 3 will cause the stem 2 and consequently the smaller stem 11 to enter the said square opening and depressing the stem 12 against the tension of the spring 19 cause the geared pinion 15 to mesh with the gear 17. By turning the barrel 1 the corners of the spiral-frusto-conical end 10 of the sleeve 9, which is integral with the barrel 1, engages the square opening in the hollow sleeve 14 and through the medium of the said pinion 1'7 winds the main spring.

I am aware that a tool has been used that was provided with a. frusto-pyramidal end for the purpose of fitting holes of various diameters, but its disadvantage lay in the fact that in small holes the tool could not be inserted suiiiciently to disengage the mechanism from the hand-setting apparatus and connect it with the mechanism for winding the main spring.

It is obvious from the foregoing that I have not only provided a tool that will fit a number of different sized holes securely but one that will effectively operate the spring winding mechanism when the works are separated from the case.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a watch key, a hollow barrel having a frusto-eonical end with a spiral thread thereon, a plunger within the barrel having a smaller end and a spring adapted to keep the end of the plunger and the end of the barrel coincident, in the manner setforth and for the purpose described.

2. A .Watch key comprising a hollow sleeve having a frusto-conical end with a spiral thread thereon and a spring controlled plunger within the hollow sleeve, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH HOWVARD DUNAWVAY.

Witnesses ARTHUR L. SLEE, JAMES F. MoCUE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

